Pamukkale (Hierapolis) is both, a magical and spectacular natural site, unique in the world
and with its ancient ruins it is perhaps the most attractive spot for tourists.

Hierapolis was named after Hiera, the wife of Telephos, founder of Pergamum in mythology.

As you approach the site of Pamukkale /Hierapolis from Denizli, (only 20 km)
a long white smudge along the hills to

Pamukkale - hot springs and
spetacular scenery

the north suggests a landslide or open cast mine. Getting closer, this resolves into the edge
of a plateau, more than 100m higher than the level of the river valley and absolutely smothered in white travertine
terraces.

Pamukkale is one of the most extraordinary natural wonders in Turkey. Dozens of coaches daily make the long excursion,
(three hours drive from Bodrum), Marmaris or Kusadasi. Stay over-night if you can to enjoy its tranquillity early
in the morning or in the evening.

The big attraction is a vast white cliff side with scallop-shaped basins of water and frozen
waterfalls. It looks as if it's made out of snow or cloud or balls of cotton. The Turks have dubbed this geological
fairyland Pamukkale (cottoncastle), from pamuk for cotton and kale for castle.

Pamukkale Thermal Pool

For thousands of years a deep underground spring has been pouring out streams of hot, mineral-saturated water.
As it has flowed down the mountainside the steaming water has hollowed enormous circular basins in the earth, and
the water's rich mineral content has coated them in a smooth layer of dazzlingly-white calcareous rock. To the
ancients such beauty could only mean that the place was sacred to the gods. Built near the natural hot springs,
the grand city of Hierapolis attracted a steady stream of pilgrims, who came to bathe in the curative waters. Pamukkale
is located 250 km from Izmir and 20 km from Denizli. Most of the hotels are in Karahayit, 5 Ian north of Pamukkale.
The water is 42-56 C, the pH is 5.98, similar to Pamukkale, but the water has more iron content.
Capacity
The Pamukkale hot springs flow at a rate of 400 liters per second. The various facilities can accommodate about
6,000 people a day which amounts to 600 liters of water per person per day.

Pamukkale Travertines
Physio-chemical Characteristics and indications
The mineral-rich Pamukkale hot spring waters are high in calcium, magnesium sulfate and bicarbonate. They also
contain carbon dioxide and have a radioactive content of 1,537 picokuri/liter (or 56 bekerel/liter). Water temperature
is 36 to 38 C with a pH of 6. Total mineral content is 2,430 mg/It. The waters are used for drinking and bathing.
They are recommended for the treatment of rheumatic, dermatological and gynecological diseases, neurological and
physical exhaustion, digestive maladies and nutritional disorders.

Treatments and accommodations
Throughout history, Pamukkale has been a famous spa, with baths and open pools set into the snow-white cliffs.
Bath treatments take place in natural pools, which developed around the main hot springs. Hot mineral water spas
have been opened at a number of new and very comfortable hotels in the area.

Pamukkale-Hierapolis - a swim over ancient columns and ruins is a unique experience

A magical and spectacular natural site, unique in the world, Pamukkale is a fairyland of dazzling
white, petrified castles. Thermal spring waters laden with calcareous salts running off the plateau’s edge have
created this fantastic formation of stalactites, cataracts and basins.

The hot springs have been used since Roman times for their therapeutic powers. Both the thermal center with its
motels and thermal pools, and the ruins of the ancient city of Hierapolis,
are situated on the same plateau.

The scientific explanation is that hot thermal springs pouring down the hillside deposit calcium carbonate, which
solidifies as travertine. If you take off your shoes, you can gingerly roam the terraces or paddle in the pools.

The entire territory of Pamukkale is at the center of particular attention on the part of the competent authorities
who intend to safeguard the integrity and respect of this truly unique territory. Here, in a landscape fascinating
in its own right, the action of various mineral springs which contain calcium oxides has left fantastic concretions
on the travertine structures. The resulting effect is spectacular: these mineral-rich waters have dripped down
over a series of terraced levels designing bizarre solidified cascades, dazzling in their radiance and changing
their color according to how the sunlight strikes them.

Pamukkale - hot springs and
spetacular scenery

From a distance this whitish mass stands in evident contrast with the color of the surrounding
uplands and brings to mind enormous stretches of cotton. On approaching this incredible succession of terraces,
one discovers the existence of basins full of mineral water which flow into other natural basins below, and are
the source of stupendous mineral conglomerations in the form of fantastic stalactites, sometimes of considerable
size gild resembling organ pipes.

The continuous dynamics of erosion and transformation of the natural landscape has resulted in an ambiance unequaled
elsewhere and which constitutes one of the most unique phenomenal to be found in nature.

The continuous dynamics of erosion and transformation of the natural landscape has resulted in an ambiance unequaled
elsewhere and which constitutes one of the most unique phenomena to be found in nature.

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Pamukkale Thermal Pool

For thousands of years a deep underground spring has been pouring out streams of hot, mineral-saturated water.
As it has flowed down the mountainside the steaming water has hollowed enormous circular basins in the earth, and
the water's rich mineral content has coated them in a smooth layer of dazzlingly-white calcareous rock. To the
ancients such beauty could only mean that the place was sacred to the gods. Built near the natural hot springs,
the grand city of Hierapolis attracted a steady stream of pilgrims, who came to bathe in the curative waters. Pamukkale
is located 250 km from Izmir and 20 km from Denizli. Most of the hotels are in Karahayit, 5 Ian north of Pamukkale.
The water is 42-56 C, the pH is 5.98, similar to Pamukkale, but the water has more iron content.
Capacity
The Pamukkale hot springs flow at a rate of 400 liters per second. The various facilities can accommodate about
6,000 people a day which amounts to 600 liters of water per person per day.